LeMay Parduhn Britain, age 78, passed away November 13, 2013, at her home in Oelrichs, South Dakota. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 18, 2013, at Prairie View Methodist Church near Smithwick, SD, with Pastor Paul Smith officiating. Interment will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in Oelrichs.

LeMay Parduhn DeLapp, the third child of Kenneth Dewey and Mamie Emily (Parduhn) DeLapp, Sr., was born on February 16, 1935, in Mitchell, South Dakota. She received her schooling in Mitchell public schools where she was active in both the high school and Mitchell municipal bands, playing flute and piccolo, and was drum major for the Mitchell High School Marching Band.

She attended and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1957. For two years after graduating, she was employed as receptionist and bookkeeper in the offices of Drs. Gillis and Brogdon in Mitchell until her marriage to Maynard Dryden Britain.

On March 8, 1959, Maynard and LeMay were married in the Methodist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota, and began their married life near Oelrichs, living with Clarence Ollie Britain, Maynard's father, where they were engaged in farming and ranching.

In the fall of 1959 LeMay began teaching in the Oelrichs High School for an annual salary of $3,400, one of three teachers on the high school staff, which included the superintendent, too. Her first year of teaching included teaching five different subjects, being advisor of the yearbook and the monthly school newspaper and directing the school play. This was an experience never to be forgotten as it was a year of frustration, excitement and added learning. Without the knowledge and experience of some of the upperclass students with the newspaper and yearbook, she felt she would have never "made it." Her first period of "retirement" began in the spring of 1961 and ended in the fall of 1968 after having her two children—Vann and Kari—when she returned to teaching until retirement in 1990.

As she was growing up, LeMay set goals for her life. There were four things she had determined she would never do or be. She had grown up in a mid-sized city accustomed to numerous activities going on. Although she loved visiting her relatives' farm in the Frederick, South Dakota, area, she vowed she would never marry a farmer or live in a small community. Wrong! Next, she realized the frustrations teachers often encountered, along with the long hours of preparation, grading and extra responsibilities they had, so she decided she would never be a teacher, although she had a teaching degree, but instead would be a good secretary. Wrong again! Last, while she was working in the doctor's office, she sympathized with the very pregnant women who would come in during the summer suffering from the heat because of their "condition." She swore she would never be pregnant during the hot summer months. Vann and Kari were both born in August. Did she regret any of her four "nevers" that happened? No, not one of them—she wouldn't have any of them any other way.

LeMay was an active member of her community and church, coordinating the church prayer chain program for many years. She especially relished the fellowship provided through the church, United Methodist Women, the Bunco and Pitch groups. She was an original member of the Chadron State College Community Symphonic Band and played flute and piccolo with the band for nearly 20 years, which she dearly enjoyed. Over the years, she and Maynard have taken in hundreds of Oelrichs, Chadron and Hot Springs sporting and arts activities. After moving to Oelrichs, she soon learned that small communities actually do offer a great deal by way of activities. The added bonus of a small community is that one has a greater opportunity to really get to know and love the people who make up the community.

She is survived by her husband, Maynard 'Brit' Britain of Oelrichs, SD; daughters Vann (Martin) Miller of Oelrichs, SD; Kari (Mark) Jastorff of Cedar Falls, IA; grandchildren Sommar (Jon) Nelson of Phoenix, AZ; Tiffany (Paul) Jastorff Gillies Graf of Hot Springs, SD; Matt Miller of Chadron, NE; Kayla (Will) Miller Burns of Hot Springs, SD; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is thankful to all those lifting up their thoughts and prayers